Do Sesame Seeds Bring On Periods? What the Evidence Says

Quick answer: No. There is no good research showing that sesame seeds, with or without jaggery, bring on a period. The belief comes from home-remedy tradition, not from medical evidence. Sesame is a nutritious food, but if your period is late, the first step is a pregnancy test and the second is to find out why it is late.

Why people think sesame seeds bring on periods

In many Indian homes, sesame (til), jaggery, dates, papaya and ajwain are called "heating" foods. The idea is that they warm the body and start bleeding. Sesame also contains plant compounds called lignans, which are weakly oestrogen-like, so the idea sounds sensible. But a weak plant compound in food is not the same as the hormone changes that start a period, and no study shows that eating sesame does this.

What actually starts a period

A period begins when hormone levels fall at the end of the cycle and the womb lining sheds. Timing is controlled by ovulation, and ovulation can be delayed by stress, weight change, illness, PCOS (also called PMOS), thyroid problems and some medicines. A snack cannot override that process, whether it is black sesame, white sesame, sesame ladoos or til-gud.

First, rule out pregnancy

If you have had sex and your period is late, take a home pregnancy test before you try any remedy. Most tests work from the first day of a missed period. If the result is negative and your period still does not come, repeat it after a few days.

If you are pregnant, do not rely on foods or herbs to bring on bleeding. They are not a safe or proven way to end a pregnancy, and the delay can make a safe option harder to use. If the pregnancy is unwanted, talk to a registered doctor. Safe and legal abortion care is available in India from registered providers.

What the evidence says about common foods

• Sesame seeds (black or white). No human research shows they start a period. They are a useful source of calcium, iron and healthy fats.
• Jaggery. It is a sugar, with small amounts of iron. It has no proven effect on periods.
• Dates. A nutritious snack with no proven effect on periods.
• Papaya. Ripe papaya is a healthy fruit. Unripe or raw papaya contains a latex that is not advised in pregnancy, and it has not been shown to start a period.
• Ajwain, ginger and fenugreek. They are common kitchen spices. There is no good evidence that any of them brings on a period, and large amounts can upset the stomach.

For the full picture on late periods and what is safe to try, read our guide to getting a period in one hour.

Is it safe to eat sesame seeds?

For most people, yes. A spoonful or two a day in chutney, on vegetables or in a ladoo is an ordinary part of a diet. This is nutrition, not a treatment, and no amount has been shown to start a period. A few cautions:

• Allergy. Sesame is a known food allergen. Stop eating it if you get itching, hives, swelling or breathing trouble, and get medical help at once.
• Sugar and calories. Ladoos made with jaggery or sugar and ghee add up quickly, which matters if you have PCOS, diabetes or are watching your weight.
• Stomach upset. Large amounts of seeds can cause bloating or loose stools.

Common reasons for a late period

• Pregnancy.
• Stress, poor sleep or travel.
• Major weight loss or gain, or very hard exercise.
• PCOS (PMOS) or thyroid problems. Read our page on PCOS (PMOS) and PCOD treatment.
• Hormonal contraception, breastfeeding, or the years before menopause.
• Illness or certain medicines.

If your period is late and you are not pregnant, our guide to the maximum delay in periods explains when a delay needs attention.

What to do while you wait

• Take a pregnancy test if there is any chance you could be pregnant.
• Note the first day of each period in a diary or an app.
• Eat regular meals, sleep well and keep your weight steady.
• Keep exercise moderate and find ways to ease stress.
• Write down other symptoms, such as acne, weight change, tiredness or extra facial hair, to tell your doctor.

When to see a gynaecologist

• You are more than a week late and a pregnancy test is negative.
• You have missed three periods in a row.
• Your periods are often irregular or have changed from your usual pattern.
• Your periods last longer than 7 days, or you bleed between periods.
• You are trying to conceive and your cycles are irregular.

Go to hospital urgently if you have a positive pregnancy test with severe one-sided pain, spotting or fainting, or if you soak a pad every hour.

Dr. Kavitha Lakshmi Easwaran sees patients for period problems at our clinic in Kasturi Nagar, Bangalore. You can read about irregular periods treatment or book an appointment.

Frequently asked questions

Do black sesame seeds bring on periods?

No proven effect. Black sesame is nutritious, but no study shows that it starts a period. A late period needs a pregnancy test and, if it stays late, a check for the cause.

Do sesame seeds and jaggery help get periods?

There is no good evidence that the combination does. Til-gud is a traditional winter food and a source of calcium and iron, but it is not a way to time your period.

Can sesame seeds cause an early period?

There is no evidence that they do. An early period is more often linked to stress, a change in routine, weight change or a hormone problem. See a doctor if your cycles are shorter than 21 days.

How much sesame should I eat to get my period?

No amount has been shown to start a period, so there is no dose to follow. As a normal food, a spoonful or two a day is fine for most people.

Can eating sesame seeds cause a miscarriage?

Sesame eaten as normal food is not known to cause miscarriage. But foods and herbs should never be used to try to bring on bleeding, because they do not work reliably and delay proper care. If you are pregnant, eat normally and see a doctor.

Do dates or papaya bring on periods?

No good evidence shows that they do. Ripe papaya and dates are healthy foods. Avoid raw or unripe papaya if you could be pregnant.

Can sesame seeds help irregular periods or PCOS?

No. Irregular periods have a cause, such as PCOS or a thyroid problem, and that cause needs checking. Sesame can be part of a balanced diet but it does not treat either.

Should I take sesame seeds if my period is late?

You can eat them as a normal food, but do not count on them. Take a pregnancy test first, and see a gynaecologist if your period stays late.

This guide is general information and does not replace a medical consultation.

Sources

• NHS: Irregular periods